Cholelithiasis in children with congenital spherocytosis.

Abstract

Cholelithiasis was diagnosed in two children with congenital spherocytosis of 7 and 9 years of age. Surgery was performed at age 10 and 14, respectively. The presence of gallstones should be considered in patients with congenital spherocytosis even under the age of 10. Various radiologic methods and ultrasonography are useful in the diagnosis of cholelithiasis in children as well as in adults. Once the diagnosis of cholelithiasis is established the treatment of choice is cholecystectomy and splenectomy at the same operation. To perform both procedures an upper midline incision proved to be satisfactory.